The Only Constant

In this episode of "The Only Constant," Lasse Rindom engages with Doug Shannon. During their conversation you get a nuanced exploration of AI's role in business, blending practical insights with philosophical considerations. Plus, they also discuss the complexity of AI implementation, the balance between technological innovation and its real-world applications, and the future of autonomous systems in the business environment. In their company, you get the chance to delve into these discussion points: The real-world integration and challenges of generative AI in business The balance between AI innovation and practical application The concept and feasibility of autonomous enterprises in the future. Tune in for a discussion on the future of AI and its impact on the business world. Do you want to learn more about Doug Shannon? Doug Shannon is an accomplished thought leader in Intelligent Automation with over two decades of experience in IT. He has a proven track record in building self-healing automation processes and has been recognized as one of the top 50 intelligent automation leaders globally. Currently, Doug serves as a Gartner Peer Community Ambassador, a council member for VOCAL, and a member of the Theia Institute cybersecurity & AI ethics think tank.

This episode of "The Only Constant" is a must-listen for anyone interested in the ethical implications of AI and the future of technology in society. Together with Maria Santacaterina, Lasse Rindom dives into the complexities of technology and its intersection with human values. They explore the opportunities and risks associated with AI technology, emphasizing the importance of understanding and mitigating these risks to harness the full potential of technological advancements. In their company, you get the chance to explore topics as: The balance between technological opportunities and risks, particularly in AI. The human factor in technology and the importance of adapting technology to human needs. The role of ethics, privacy, and human values in the deployment of technology. The concept of adaptive resilience in the face of rapid technological change. Tune in to this interesting conversation, where Lasse and Maria navigate the delicate balance between embracing innovation and preserving the core of human experience in an increasingly digital world. Do you want to learn more about Maria Santacaterina? Maria Santacaterina is a highly sought-after Global Strategic Leader & Board Executive Advisor, a pioneer in global business strategy and one of this year’s Most Influential Women in Tech according to Computer Weekly. She has over 25 years of international leadership experience in CEO, Senior Executive and Chief Commercial Officer roles for large, listed and private equity owned luxury brands and retailers across more than 100 markets. Affiliations include LA PERLA, Osborne & Little, Liberty, Samuel & Sons, ARTE, Boarini Milanesi, HSBC, BDO, PWC, Deloitte, Condé Nast and Hearst among others. Maria Santacaterina is the CEO and Founder of SANTACATERINA CONSULTING and renowned author of “Adaptive Resilience, how to thrive in a digital era” (Wiley). Working alongside CEOs and corporate boards seeking to create a sustainable digital future and thrive in the digital era, Maria brings conceptual clarity and highly valued actionable insights to complex projects of strategic importance.

Kicking off the new year in style! In this episode of "The Only Constant," you can meet Andreas Welsch, who, together with Lasse Rindom, delves into the integration of Artificial Intelligence in the world of enterprise software, particularly focusing on its role in SAP and ERP systems. During their conversation you get Andreas’ expertise on how AI is transforming these systems, enhancing efficiency, and creating new opportunities in business processes. And their reflections on the broader challenges and implications of AI in the business sector. In the company of Lasse and Andreas you get the chance to explore topics as: The integration of AI in SAP and ERP systems. How AI is transforming business processes and decision-making. The challenges and future potential of AI within enterprise software environments. Tune in to this episode for a comprehensive exploration of AI's impact on enterprise systems and business processes, guided by Andreas Welsch's expert insights. Do you want to learn more about Andreas Welsch? Andreas Welsch is a prominent figure in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with over 21 years of experience in the software industry. Currently, he holds the position of Vice President Marketing & Solutions for Artificial Intelligence at SAP, a global leader in business applications. His work at SAP focuses on product marketing and go-to-market strategies for AI, where he has led various regional business development teams and established an AI Centre of Excellence. Welsch has been instrumental in shaping AI literacy across SAP's largest software engineering unit and has served as a trusted advisor on over 80 AI projects across various industries. In addition to his role at SAP, Welsch is a top AI thought leader recognised by The Futurum Group, Thinkers360, and others, for his many contributions to the AI community, including his work on the Intelligence Briefing series on LinkedIn and the "What’s the BUZZ?" live stream and podcast. He is also an active participant in various AI events and discussions, further demonstrating his commitment to advancing AI knowledge and application in the business world.

In this episode of "The Only Constant," Lasse Rindom is joined by partner and global head of intelligent automation solutions at ISG, Wayne Butterfield. In a free-flowing conversation, they unravel the complexities of Artificial Intelligence in the business world. They cover: AI's integration into existing business processes and systems The importance of training and adaptability in the AI era The potential of AI to augment human work and drive innovation. In addition to these topics, Wayne and Lasse also engage in a philosophical discussion, with Wayne expressing scepticism about the efficiency-driven, uniform narrative of AI. Tune in to this thought-provoking episode for an in-depth look at the practical and philosophical aspects of AI in business. Do you want to learn more about Wayne Butterfield? Wayne is the Global Lead for AI & Automation, responsible for all AI & automation deployments across ISG. Together with his team, he is helping clients with everything from Gen AI Policy to their strategy and deployments of RPA & Chat Bots, IDP, Generative AI, Machine Learning and Process/Task Mining capabilities. And he’s a globally recognised thought leader and keynote speaker on all things AI & automation, plus the host of the award winning Bots & Beyond Podcast. Prior to ISG, Wayne was delivering AI well before it was cool. He held leadership roles in Telefonica O2 and BT in the UK, where he was a true pioneer. Setting up and running the now infamous Telefonica O2 RPA Operation, back in 2011, Chat Bots in 2012. He continued pushing the envelope when at ISG, even delivering things like Natural Language Generation in 2018. His enthusiasm for new technology is infectious, and his thirst for pushing boundaries makes him a great consultant to work with, learn from and be connected with.

This episode’s guest is Dr. Jeffrey Funk, and together with Lasse he discusses the over-hyping of emerging technologies and the importance of realistic technological expectations. In this conversation you can hear about Jeffrey’s journey from techno-optimist towards becoming more sceptical about the actual impact and improvement rates of new technologies. And during the conversation he emphasizes the need for a more realistic and grounded approach to evaluating technological advancements. In their company, you can explore topics such as: The gap between expectations and real-world impacts in emerging technologies The slower-than-expected progress and challenges in technology development and adoption. Tune in to this episode for a chance to get off the hype train – at least for a while. Do you want to learn more about Jeffrey Funk? Dr. Jeffrey Funk has had a notable 40-year career focusing on the emergence and diffusion of new technologies, both as a professor and consultant. He was an early proponent of smartphones during the late 1990s and early 2000s in Japan when the Japanese were ahead of the West. His insights enabled him to help several Western companies implement phones and services. He was one of the first to recommend the use of apps as early as in 2004, years before the iPhone launch in 2007. This work earned him the NTT DoCoMo mobile science award in 2004. After moving to the National University of Singapore in 2007, Dr. Funk taught a unique course on the economics of new technologies. This course, along with his supporting research, positioned him as an early critic of current startups and venture capitalists. He continues to be a leading voice for startups and new technologies, contributing through writing, speaking, consulting, and engaging on platforms like LinkedIn. His work suggests that technological advancements and startups are progressing more slowly than in the past, and he emphasizes the importance of seeking genuine scientific advances for true value creation in new ventures.

This episode’s guest is Sree Sreenivasan, and together with Lasse he focuses on the impact of generative AI and new communication technology on our modern societies. His substantial experience guiding complex public, educational and cultural organizations amid digital technological change is the backdrop for the conversation. It is these experiences that are challenged and contextualized through the lens of the current AI craze in this conversation with Lasse. In their company, you can explore topics such as: Generative AI’s impact on content creation, attention span and productivity. The motivations of tech companies and regulation – mission driven, profit driven or doing good? The example of Twitter: How individuals can be a problem in charge of big societal technology and media. AI's societal impact and future directions: Education, healthcare, communication transformation, global inclusivity and how we adapt to tech changes. We hope you will listen and are up for another conversation exploring big questions about the impact of AI. Do you want to learn more about Sree Sreenivasan? Sreenath "Sree" Sreenivasan is a distinguished figure in the realms of journalism and digital media. His career spans significant roles such as Chief Digital Officer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Columbia University, and the City of New York. At Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, he was a professor focusing on new media, web design, and social media in journalism, demonstrating a commitment to evolving media landscapes. He also co-founded the South Asian Journalists Association, championing diversity in journalism. Sreenivasan's contributions have earned him recognition from prestigious publications like Fast Company, Newsweek, and AdAge. His advocacy for gender equality in professional settings, notably his stance against all-male panels at conferences, further highlights his commitment to inclusivity in the industry. In addition to his achievements, Sreenivasan is also a board member at Nobel Prize Outreach AB, connecting him with the esteemed Nobel Prizes. This role underscores his influence and leadership in the global arena of media and communications.

In this episode of "The Only Constant," host Lasse Rindom engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Steven Pemberton, a distinguished computer scientist with a lineage traceable to Alan Turing. They explore the evolution of artificial intelligence and question its ability to be genuinely intelligent. In this conversation you get anecdotes from Pemberton's career and insights into the future of human-computer interaction. And take part in a conversation that questions our current metrics for intelligence and the transformative impact of AI on society. In their company, you can explore topics such as: AI's Intelligence. The conversation delves into whether modern AI, such as generative models, can be considered truly intelligent. Steven and Lasse discuss the concept of 'stochastic parroting' versus genuine insight and contextual understanding. AI as an Internet Moment, where Steven and Lasse explore the transformative impact of AI on society, comparing it to the advent of the internet. They ponder its potential as a significant paradigm shift in how we interact with technology. Future of Human-Computer Interaction, where Pemberton shares his thoughts on the future evolution of human-computer interfaces. He considers developments in natural language processing, speech interaction, and the potential for thought-controlled interfaces. We hope you will listen and are up for a deep dive into the realm where technology meets human cognition. Do you want to learn more about Steven Pemberton? Steven Pemberton is a distinguished researcher in the field of computer science and information technology, with a long and rich history of contributions to the development of the internet and the web. He is affiliated with the Dutch national research centre Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, where he conducts research on interaction, declarative programming, and web technologies. In addition to his work on the web, Pemberton has also made significant contributions to other areas of computer science, such as the design of programming languages, having co-designed the language that Python is based on, and the study of human-computer interaction. As a speaker, Pemberton is known for his engaging and informative presentations, which draw on his deep knowledge of computer science and his passion for technology and cover both social and technological aspects of computing. His talks are always thought-provoking and entertaining, and he has been invited to speak at numerous conferences and events around the world. In 2023 he became an ACM Distinguished Speaker. A fuller bio is available on his website https://www.cwi.nl/~steven

In this very first episode you can meet automation expert Ian Barkin for a talk on how Generative AI is reshaping the world of automation, business, and IT. Lasse and Ian unravel the rapid evolution of AI and its impact on IT, business, and society. In their company, you can explore topics such as: The journey of automation from simple tools to self-operating machines, and the possibility that Robotic Process Automation (RPA) may become obsolete as technology advances. The era of democratized technology, where powerful AI tools are accessible to everyone, not just big companies. The shift from automation that mimics human tasks to AI that enhances and invents new ways of working. The big questions around AI: How do we keep it clear, safe, and fair? We hope you will listen and find the episode enlightening. Do you want to learn more about Ian Barkin? Ian Barkin is a distinguished authority in digital operations and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) with over 20 years in the field. He has shared his expertise globally as the author of RPA courses on LinkedIn Learning and co-author of the book "Intelligent Automation: Welcome to the World of Hyperautomation." Moreover, Barkin co-founded Symphony Ventures, a leading RPA service provider, steering the company until its acquisition by SYKES in 2018. He is an avid proponent of leveraging AI and RPA to revolutionize organizations and advocate for the worker of the future.